Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Zippy Invitational
@HerdSwimming Finishes Day One Strong in Akron
12/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Results (PDF)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall's Swimming and Diving team posted a strong first day at the Zippy Invitational in Akron, Ohio. Three school records were broken, while 10 lifetime bests were also set on the day.
AT THE ZIPPY INVITATIONAL
Leading the swimmers Friday was sophomore Danica Ross (Binghamton, N.Y.), who finished second in the 50 freestyle A final with a time of 23.17, which reset her school record. Freshman Gloriya Mavrova (Alexandria, Va.) finished seventh with a time of 23.89. Rounding out the event for Marshall was Lauren Hurd (17th, 24.04), Lauren Cowher (18th, 24.27) and Chloe Parsemain (22nd, 24.68). Mavrova moved to third all-time on the school top ten, while Cowher moved to fourth.
Head coach Bill Tramel said he was pleased with the way Ross was able to compete in the 50.
"Certainly pleased with Danica resetting her school record," Tramel said. "And the two Laurens (Cowher and Hurd) going 1-2 in the C Final was awesome as well."
The 200 yard freestyle relay team of Ross, freshman Gloriya Mavrova (Alexandria, Va.), freshman Lauren Cowher (Roanoke, Va,) and senior Lauren Hurd (Orange Village, Ohio) finished in third with a time of 1:34.68, the school record.
"Starting the session off with a school record is about as good as you can hope for," Tramel said. "It really set the tone for the rest of the night."
In the 400 yard medley relay, the team of Ross, freshman Madi Pulfer (Ottowa, Ontario), Mikaya Reynolds (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Mavrova finished fifth with a time of 3:50.82, another school record.
"Once again, school record," Tramel said. "Can't ask for much more. Mikaya Reynolds had a great breaststroke split. The exciting thing is we all know we will be faster at C-USA."
Senior Kaley Gregory (Hurricane, W.Va.) won the A event of the 500 yard freestyle, with a time of 4:55.68. Gregory entered the race as the first seed after the morning preliminaries. Pulfer finished right behind Gregory with a time of 4:55.70, her lifetime best. Nele Albers (4th, lifetime best 4:57.20), Kacey Preun (fifth, 4:58.66), Teel Hartmann (8th, 5:01.11), Savannah Ruedt (13th 5:04.21) and Emma Williams (19th, lifetime best 5:07.07) also placed well in the events. Pulfer moves to No.4 on the all-time top ten. Albers moves to No.6
"What a race the 500 was," Tramel said. "Both Kaley (Gregory) and Madi (Pulfer) came home on a mission and both passed the lead swimmer (Ashley Drazkowski of Akron) in the last 10 meters. It is really satisfying, as a coach, when you teach something, the swimmer executes the skill, and it works!"
All three competitors in the 200 IM placed lifetime bests. That includes second place Emma Lockyer (2:04.60), fifth place Mikaya Reynolds (2:05.11) and 21st Carin Ingram (2:12.29).
"The IM almost was a repeat of the 500 with surges near the end," Tramel said. Great swims."
In 1 meter diving, freshman Chloe Jones finished eighth in the finals with a score of 191.95. Casey Kyriacopoulos finished ninth, barely missing the finals. Kelly Toner (12th,) Megan Wolons (16th) and Rachel Sleichter (17th) competed as well.
"Always great to dive at night," Tramel said. "Chloe was good in her first collegiate championship format. I thought Casey K. (Kyriacopoulos) was very good as well. She almost snuck into finals, but had a season best score, so we can't complain one bit."
TRAMEL TALK
Head Coach Bill Tramel on day one:
"It was a fun and great night. Tomorrow is a quick turnaround with a 9 am start, so it will be a challenge for our team. I'm looking forward to how they respond."
LET'S GET SOCIAL
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The day two preliminaries will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. The finals will be Saturday at 6 p.m. A recap of the Herd results as well full results will be posted on Herdzone.com following the event, as well as analysis from head coach Bill Tramel . Fans can follow along with the meet as it unfolds on the Akron Athletics page.
Players Mentioned
